Blame it on the refs!

The foreigners on my son's college team say the single greatest obstacle to the USA developing into a world power in soccer is the lack of quality refereeing in the country.

Hmm,,,,

I know we could all share "referee stories" to help illustrate their point. Our recently concluded high school soccer season saw blown calls, phantom calls, missed calls ,,, and the film doesn't lie. I believe our visitors from other countries were talking about more than a referee having an off day - we're all human after all. Rather, they were referring to how anyone with a whistle seems to be able to referee a game here in the States.

I know we had one gentlemen who was in his first year of refereeing who had to be 60 if he were a day.  Decided he needed something to do or wanted to give back to the game.  He was not physically capable of refereeing a high school soccer match.  It really was disrespectful to the game.

On the other end of the spectrum are the young kids who take a referee course are given a badge and are then sent off to referee. No experience required. Just get out there with your whistle and have at it. Is it any wonder the retention rate for officials is so low?  We set them up for failure.

I understand in other countries the route to becoming an official is much more difficult.

Now, I know several referees who I consider to be very good.  A few of these gentlemen have refereed my son and his mates from other countries.  This gave me cause to reflect on what our standards for referees are.  If some of the best we have are thought to be inadequate by our foreign guests ...

I get their point.  The officials are part of the soccer match. We expect a certain standard from the players and a higher standard from those who coach them.  Should the standard for those who officiate be a high one as well?   All three groups (plus spectators, grounds crew and so on) are vital components to the contest.  When any one area is lacking, the whole is lacking,

Player Development gets a lot of attention in this country. It's a billion dollar cottage industry what with clubs, camps, clinics, individual instruction, videos, books, etc.

Coaching Development gets a lot of attention. NSCAA and USSF coaching courses are mandatory for most competitive youth leagues and certainly for college and professional coaching jobs.

Referee Development?   There are avenues to rise through the ranks in USSF. Weekend academies at youth tournaments and promotion to regional or national youth soccer events such as Presidents Cup, State Cup and ODP events.  Grade Levels for referees.  Yet, I keep coming back to the basic level referee courses. Part of the course is now on-line and the rest is conducted in a few hours in a classroom and perhaps on a soccer pitch,  You take a test that everyone passes and are awarded your badge.  You are now a USSF referee!  If you are 18, you can also be a OHSAA referee!

No actual in-game on the field training or experience required.

So, yeah, our mates from other states may have a valid point?